A skateboard having a fifth wheel attached to the board and coupled to a motor mounted on the board for driving the board in response to operation of the motor. The fifth wheel is attached to the board near the longitudinal center of the board and extends through a slot in the board for coupling to the motor. The board is resilient and the diameter of the driven wheel is of such dimension in relation to the height of the board above the ground and of the trucks that support the board, and in relation to the resiliency of the board and the height of its attachment to the board that drive wheel does not contact the ground to drive the board unless the weight of a person on the board is distributed toward the longitudinal center of the board so as to flex the longitudinal center of the board toward the ground.
|
1. In a motorized skateboard, comprising;
a resilient elongated board for supporting a person riding on the board; a pair of trucks attached to the board under opposite end portions of the board for supporting the board above the ground; and a motor supported on the board; wherein the improvement comprises: a fifth wheel drive means attached to the board and coupled to the motor for driving the board in response to operation of the motor; the fifth wheel drive means including a drive wheel; said drive wheel being attached to the board near the longitudinal center of the board, and having a diameter of such dimension in relation to the height of the board above the ground and of the trucks and in relation to resiliency of the board and the height of its attachment to the board that the drive wheel does not contact the ground to drive the board unless the weight of a person on the board is distributed toward the longitudinal center of the board so as to flex the longitudinal center of the board toward the ground.
2. A motorized skateboard according to
the motor being positioned near the longitudinal center of the board.
3. A motorized skateboard according to
4. A motorized skateboard according to
a friction drive means by which the motor is permanently engaged to the drive wheel.
5. A motorized skateboard according to
a friction drive means, by which the motor is permanently engaged to the drive wheel.
6. A motorized skateboard, according to
a hand held control means for controlling the motor; and characterized by a cable means connecting the control means to the motor for enabling the motor to be operated by hand by a rider on the board.
7. A motorized skateboard according to
the motor having a frame with a trigger means thereon for regulating the speed of the motor, the cable means including a sheath attached to the trigger means and a cable within the sheath anchored in relation to the frame; and the hand held control means including means attached to the sheath and cable for moving the sheath in relation to the cable.
8. A motorized skateboard according to
the board being made of an aluminum alloy.
|
The present invention generally pertains to motorized skateboards and is particularly directed to an improvement in the construction of motorized skateboards.
A motorized skateboard basically includes an elongated board, a pair of trucks (four wheels) attached to the board under opposite end portions of the board for supporting the board above the ground, a motor and a chain/sprocket mechanism coupled to the motor for driving one or more of the four wheels and thus the board in response to the operation of the motor. Typically the board is resilient and of sufficient dimension and strength to support a person riding on the board. Board materials include wood, plastic, aluminum alloy, and fiberglass.
Typically, the motor has been attached to the truck at the rear end of the skateboard and is coupled to one of the rear skateboard wheels through a clutch mechanism so that power can be disengaged when it is not desired to drive the board. In other models, the drive wheel, one of the four wheels, is directly driven by the motor; but the motor is then restricted to low compression, small displacement engines which have to be push started; since there is no way to remove the driven wheel from the ground.
The motorized skateboard of the present invention is characterized by a fifth wheel drive being attached to the board near the longitudinal center of the board, and having a diameter of such dimension in relation to the dimension of the board and of the trucks and in relation to resiliency of the board that the drive wheel does not contact the ground to drive the board unless the weight of a person on the board is distributed toward the longitudinal center of the board, so as to flex the longitudinal center of the board toward the ground.
Preferably the motor also is positioned near the longitudinal center of the board and the board contains a slot near its longitudinal center, through which the fifth drive wheel extends for coupling to the motor above the board.
It also is preferred that the motor be permanently engaged to the drive wheel by a friction drive mechanism. Preferably the operation of the motor is controlled by the rider by means of a hand held motor control mechanism that is connected to the motor by a cable.
The motorized skateboard of the present invention represents an improvement over the prior art both in simplicity of construction and ease of operation. Also because the drive wheel is permanently engaged to the motor by a friction drive mechanism, the rider can use the drive wheel for compression braking by reducing the motor speed right down to the stall speed of the motor. Additionally, the drive wheel automatically lifts off the ground if the operator should step off the board, thereby providing run away protection.
The hand held motor control mechanism enables the rider to control the board without having to use his feet to control the speed and thereby allows the rider greater freedom of movement on and control over the board.
In addition, the combination of the hand held motor control mechanism together with the feature of being able to engage the drive wheel to the ground by distributing one's weight toward the longitudinal center of the board provides the rider with a jump start capability.
FIG. 1 is a top elevation partial plan view of the motorized skateboard of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation plan view of the skateboard shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the skateboard as viewed along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
Referring to the drawings, the motorized skateboard of the present invention includes an elongated board 10, that is supported on trucks 12 and 14. The trucks 12 and 14 are attached to the board 10 under opposite end portions of the board 10 by means of wedge blocks 16 and 18 respectively.
The board 10 contains a slot 22 near the longitudinal center of the board 10. A fifth drive wheel 24 extends through the slot 22 and is journaled in trunion blocks 26 and 28, which are attached to the underside of the board 10. The rim of the fifth drive wheel 24 makes contact with a knurled drive pinion 30 that is fixed to the drive shaft 32 of the motor 20, and thereby in effect provides a friction drive mechanism for permanently engaging the drive wheel 24 to the motor 20.
The motor is controlled by a control mechanism 34. The control mechanism 34 is a brake type squeeze grip that is connected to a cable mechanism 36. The cable mechanism 36 includes a sheath 38 and a cable 40 within the sheath 38. The speed of the motor 20 is controlled with a trigger 42, such as commonly used on a chain saw motor or the like, which is suitable for such use. The trigger mechanism 42 is mounted in the motor frame 46. The sheath 38 is attached to the trigger 42 and the cable 40 is anchored to the frame 46. Accordingly the speed of the motor 20 is controlled by operating the squeeze grip mechanism 34.
The top surface of the board 10 includes non-skid treads 48 and 50, on which a rider may position his feet.
The relative dimensions of the trucks 12 and 14 and the drive wheel 24, and the resiliency of the board 10 are such that when no rider is on the board, or when a rider on the board distributes his weight towards both ends of the board 10, the drive wheel 22 does not contact the ground 52. However, when the rider distributes his weight towards the longitudinal center of the board 10 so as to flex the longitudinal center of the board 10 toward the ground (as shown by broken line 10a in FIG. 2), the drive wheel 24 makes contact with the ground 52 (as shown by broken line 24a) so that the skateboard can be driven by the motor 20.
The board 10 is made of an aluminum alloy, which provides the desired combination of resiliency and strength.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10010759, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Modular activity board |
10052520, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Modular activity board |
10307659, | Oct 21 2013 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
10369453, | Oct 21 2013 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
10576360, | Oct 16 2015 | GLOBE INTERNATIONAL NOMINEES PTY LTD | Powered skateboard |
10617935, | Oct 16 2015 | GLOBE INTERNATIONAL NOMINEES PTY LTD | Motorized wheel assembly with quick release |
10835806, | Oct 16 2015 | GLOBE INTERNATIONAL NOMINEES PTY LTD | Motorized wheel assembly with quick release |
11033800, | Dec 08 2015 | HILL GLIDER INC | Board apparatus with a pivot wheel for traversing inclines |
11040249, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Modular activity board |
11712601, | Dec 09 2016 | Exercise device | |
11794090, | Jan 08 2020 | ACME LAND SURF CO , LLC | Wheeled vehicle and deck for wheeled vehicle |
4374548, | Oct 25 1979 | Takagi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Playing vehicle with a prime mover |
4468045, | Jan 12 1982 | Attachment system for detachable roller skates | |
4600073, | Apr 11 1984 | Engine-driven platform for sports, entertainment and similar purposes | |
4984648, | Dec 21 1988 | Motorized skiboard | |
5020621, | Dec 19 1989 | Electric motor powered skateboard with integral brakes | |
5127488, | Jun 27 1991 | Tom Shanahan, Inc.; TOM SHANAHAN, INC A CA CORPORATION | Power accessory for skateboard |
5201659, | Aug 28 1992 | Motorized gymnastic training apparatus | |
5236058, | Dec 11 1991 | Motor driven roller skates | |
5381870, | May 03 1993 | Motorized skateboard apparatus | |
5487441, | Feb 13 1993 | Unitec Corporation | Motorized board with pressure actuated power switch |
5819865, | Apr 16 1993 | Skateboard type vehicle | |
5829543, | Mar 27 1997 | Motorized in-line blade roller skate | |
5839737, | Jan 09 1997 | Self propelled skateboard | |
5927420, | Mar 27 1996 | Engine driven skateboard | |
5950754, | Jul 22 1997 | Multi-terrain riding board | |
6002192, | Jun 29 1995 | ANTARES HIGH TECH S A | Drive for transportation facilities |
6050357, | May 31 1995 | EMPower Corporation | Powered skateboard |
6296260, | Sep 16 1999 | Supplemental wheel for a golf bag cart | |
6315630, | Feb 04 2000 | Mattel, Inc | Remotely controlled skateboard having motion-responsive doll riding thereon |
6467560, | Feb 03 1998 | DirtThingz (NZ) Ltd. | Recreational devices |
6604593, | Jan 29 2002 | Wayne-Dalton Corp. | Powered roller skates |
6796394, | May 23 2003 | Skateboard with a power driving unit | |
6805364, | Nov 22 2000 | Sic LLC | Hand steerable sports scooter |
6848527, | Oct 08 2002 | Motorized skateboard-type vehicle | |
6957818, | Nov 22 2000 | Sic LLC | Hand steerable sports scooter |
6969076, | Nov 22 2000 | Hand steerable snow scooter | |
7172044, | Oct 01 2002 | Self-propelled wheel board | |
7464951, | Jun 25 2004 | Powered vehicle for on and off-road use | |
7811217, | Apr 28 2006 | Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise | |
8061725, | Mar 06 2009 | HAWKINS 30%, JAMES ERIC; BROWN 25%, BILLY R; HENNESSY 10%, BRENDA; BRODEK 05%, VIRGINIA; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POWERED SKATEBOARD RACING 30% | Motorized skatedboard |
8376378, | Nov 04 2008 | Performance Concepts, Inc. | Self-propelled vehicle and articulated steerable mobile chassis thereof |
8403085, | Sep 13 2010 | Power application device | |
8684377, | Nov 04 2008 | Performance Concepts, Inc. | Self-propelled vehicle and articulated mobile chassis thereof |
8777240, | Oct 07 2008 | WOODWARD IP HOLDCO, LLC | Wheeled sport apparatus, as for training and recreation |
8973695, | Jun 15 2010 | Vehicle wheeled device | |
9138632, | Oct 07 2008 | WOODWARD IP HOLDCO, LLC | Wheeled sport apparatus, as for training and recreation |
9211470, | Oct 21 2013 | Equalia LLC. | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
9339677, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Modular exercise board |
9364716, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Portable multipurpose fitness device |
9434374, | Aug 12 2013 | Apparatus including operation-switch assembly for switching propulsion operation of vehicle | |
9616294, | Oct 30 2012 | Morf, LLC | Modular activity board |
9643077, | Oct 21 2013 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
9993718, | Oct 21 2013 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
D330394, | Oct 31 1988 | Motorized skateboard | |
D405141, | Sep 29 1995 | Skateboard top | |
D420715, | Sep 29 1995 | Skateboard top | |
D768252, | Feb 25 2016 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
D795374, | Oct 21 2013 | EQUALIA LLC | Pitch-propelled vehicle |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
1672700, | |||
1694671, | |||
1784761, | |||
2239122, | |||
2257653, | |||
2544996, | |||
3035854, | |||
3224785, | |||
823385, | |||
854299, | |||
DT835558, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Feb 14 1981 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Aug 14 1981 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 14 1982 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Feb 14 1984 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Feb 14 1985 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Aug 14 1985 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 14 1986 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Feb 14 1988 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Feb 14 1989 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Aug 14 1989 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Feb 14 1990 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Feb 14 1992 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |